The East Baton Rouge Parish man who is charged with negligent homicide after he allegedly accidentally left his eight month old daughter in a hot car for two hours has been released from jail after posting a 10-thousand dollar bond. 31-year-old Marvin Mercer told police he found his child in his car during his lunch break and drove her to a hospital, but doctors were not able to save her. Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services Secretary, Marketa Walters, says in the past 10 years, the state has seen 24 heat-related deaths like this one…
cut 17 (07) “…back seat”

Authorities are looking for a pregnant inmate who escaped from the Sabine Parish Women’s Facility in Many. Officials say 33-year-old Olive Ashtine Somersall gained access to an elevator while an on-duty deputy was distracted with other inamates. Somersall is six months pregnant.

Louisiana ranks second in the country for the percentage of people who drink soda on a daily basis. State department of health and hospitals dietician Rebecca Guidroz says this is part of the reason why Louisiana is considered an unhealthy state as one 12 ounce can of soda has 39 grams of sugar…
cut 13 (08) “…a day”
Guidroz recommends drinking fruit infused water as an alternative.

The LHSAA vote to keep the expanded public-private school championship split means there will be 12 title games each for the sports of basketball, baseball and softball. LHSAA Director Eddie Bonine says this causes problems for the sites that host these championship events and they may have to eliminate semifinal games from taking place at these locations…
cut 5 (07) “…one night”

High school principals voted Wednesday to keep the private-public playoff championship format in place, but not everyone is happy about it and this could result in another association forming. LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says it’s his job to make it work, but with five additional playoff brackets in basketball, schools will be in the postseason that didn’t have a very good year:
cut 4 (07) “damn game”
Most private schools are not happy with the LHSAA current playoff format. John Curtis football coach and athletic director, JT Curtis, anticipates the legislature getting involved in this controversy and talks will ramp up about forming another high school sports organization…:
CUT 7 (06) “into that”
Some say if select schools leave the LHSAA, it would be a big blow to the group.

Orthopedists are raising concerns about the new law that allows patients to see physical therapists without getting a diagnosis from a doctor first. Don Molino has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

According to 24/7 Wall Street, nearly half of Louisiana residents drink soda or other sugary drinks daily. DHH dietitian Rebecca Guidroz (GEE-dros) says that’s not good. She says in addition to weight gain, drinking a lot of soda can also lead to other health risks…:
cut 14 (09) “dental care”

Patients now have direct access to physical therapists without having to see a doctor first, as a result of legislation passed this year. But the Louisiana Orthopedic Association says this new law could be costly for patients. LOA spokesperson Barbara Carey says if patients want insurance to cover their P-T treatment, they need to see a doctor first:
Cut 8 (09) “of pocket”
Parks Senator Fred Mills authored the new law…:
Cut 10 (09) “those surgeons”
The law went into effect as soon as the governor signed it.

A report compiled by the Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office concerning the over heating death of their only K-9 unit will be sent to the DA for review. The dog was left in a vehicle and his handler, Deputy John Cummings, has resigned from the sheriff’s office.

A 31-year-old father and prep baseball coach is facing murder charges in the death of his 8 month old daughter, after mistakenly leaving her in a hot car Wednesday causing her death. Baton Rouge Police say Marvin Mercer of Zachary is charged with negligent homicide.

Louisiana ranks second in the country for the percentage of people who drink soda every day, according to a report from 24/7 Wall Street. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The left lane of I-10 in Kenner was closed Wednesday after a portion of the roadway buckled. State Police said on its Facebook page that the road was not safe to drive on at the time, but repairs have been made and all lanes have reopened.

A 31-year-old baseball coach from Baton Rouge is under arrest amid allegations he left his baby in a hot vehicle for 2 hours by mistake causing her death. 31-year-old Marvin Mercer is charged with negligent homicide. The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services says there are things you can do to prevent this tragedy from happening again…:
Cut 16 (12) “in the backseat”
Marketa Walters with DCFS says over the past 10 years, Louisiana has had 24 heat related deaths, and 17 of those were under two years of age.

The LHSAA public/private school split is becoming even more heated as principals voted to continue dividing the schools in sports on Wednesday. John Curtis football coach and athletic director, JT Curtis, says there will only be seven teams in the highest classification bracket for girls basketball and softball…:
Cut 6 (07) “really disappointing”
There’s been talk of another association forming as result.

According to 24/7 Wall Street, nearly half of Louisiana residents drink soda or other sugary drinks daily. Louisiana ranks second in the nation for the number of people who drink sugary drinks every day, only behind Mississippi. DHH dietitian Rebecca Guidroz (GEE-dros) says consuming a lot of sugar is linked to obesity, and the rate in Louisiana is over 7% higher than the national average…:
cut 12 (09) “are obese”
Guidroz says people who drink a lot of soda should try to wean themselves off of it slowly.

The LSU baseball team is looking at ways they have the best change to beat Coastal Carolina this weekend at The Box in the Baton Rouge Super Regional, with the winner of the best of three series heading to Omaha for the College World Series. The Chanticleers are 47-16 overall and 21-3 in the Big South Conference. First pitch of game one is scheduled for Saturday at 8pm. The game will air on ESPNU.

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services is urging parents to take steps not to forget their young children in the backseat of a vehicle during these hot summer months. The warning is in response to Baton Rouge Police arresting a 31-year-old father whose 8-month-old daughter died after he accidentally left her in the car for two hours yesterday. DCFS Secretary Marketa Walters says unfortunately we’ve seen similar cases over the years..:
Cut 15 (08) “of age”
The man arrested in Baton Rouge has been identified as Marvin Mercer and he’s been charged with negligent homicide.

Governor John Bel Edwards issued a statement in response to the frosty way the House Ways and Means Committee his treated tax proposals. He says given the $600 million dollar deficit, voting against additional revenue means TOPS, higher ed, K-12 education and life saving health care are placed at risk. He says simple math shows the state needs additional revenue and putting politics over people is what got Louisiana into this mess to begin with.

A majority of high school principals in the state have decided to keep the private-public playoff championship format in place. Jeff Palermo reports on what it means for the future of the LHSAA…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A majority of high school principals in the state have decided to keep the private-public playoff championship format in place. Jeff Palermo reports on what it means for the future of the LHSAA…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Orthopedists are raising concerns about the new law that allows patients to see physical therapists without getting a diagnosis from a doctor first. Don Molino has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

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Louisiana ranks second in the country for the percentage of people who drink soda every day, according to a report from 24/7 Wall Street. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Playoff teams with poor records and another association forming are potential results of the LHSAA principals vote that keeps the expanded public-private school playoff split that was first approved in January. LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says it’s his job to make it work, but with five additional playoff brackets in basketball, schools will be in the postseason that didn’t have a very good year…

cut 4  (07)  “damn game”

There will be nine championships in football. Basketball, baseball and softball will go from 7 to 12 title games. Bonine says semifinal games will likely no longer take place in the cities that host the state basketball, baseball or softball tournaments…

Cut 5  (07)  “one night”

Most private schools are not happy with the LHSAA current playoff format. John Curtis football coach and athletic director, JT Curtis, says there will only be seven teams in the highest classification bracket for girls basketball and softball…

Cut 6 (07) “really disappointing”

Curtis anticipates the legislature will get involved in this controversy and talks will ramp up about forming another high school sports organization…

CUT 7 (06)  “into that” 

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As a result of legislation approved state lawmakers and signed by the governor, patients have direct access to physical therapists without having to see a doctor first, but the Louisiana Orthopedic Association says this new law could be costly for patients. LOA spokesperson Barbara Carey says if patients want insurance to cover their P-T treatment, they need to see a doctor first….

Cut 8  (09)  “of pocket” 

Carey says physical therapists cannot make medical diagnoses, which is why patients need to see a doctor. She says pain can be due to a number of conditions.

Cut 9 (12)  “need surgery”

Parks Senator Fred Mills authored the new law, which is already in place in other states, so that patients can visit physical therapist, before seeing a doctor…

Cut 10 (09) “those surgeons”

Mills says he thinks this new law strikes a good balance between patient safety and direct access.

cut 11 (06) “a practitioner”

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According to 24/7 Wall Street, nearly half of Louisiana residents drink soda or other sugary drinks daily. Louisiana ranks second in the nation for the number of people who drink sugary drinks every day, only behind Mississippi. DHH dietician Rebecca Guidroz (GEE-dros) says consuming a lot of sugar is linked to obesity, and the obesity rate in Louisiana is over 7% higher than the national average.

cut 12 (09) “are obese”

The report shows 46% of Louisianans drink soda daily, and the state is one of only 7 in which more than 40% of residents drink cokes every day. Guidroz says people should not consume more than one sugary drink per day. She says one 12 ounce can of soda has 39 grams of sugar.

Cut 13 (08)  “a day”

Drinking a lot of soda is linked to lower income as well, according to the report, because sugary drinks are inexpensive and typically come with cheap fast food meals. Guidroz says in addition to weight gain, drinking a lot of soda can also lead to other health risks.

cut 14 (09)  “dental  care”

Guidroz says people who drink a lot of soda should try to wean themselves off of it slowly. She recommends drinking fruit infused water as an alternative.

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The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services is urging parents to take steps not to forget their young children in the backseat of a vehicle during these hot summer months. The warning is in response to Baton Rouge Police arresting a 31-year-old father whose 8-month-old daughter died after he accidentally left her in the car for two hours yesterday. DCFS Secretary Marketa Walters says unfortunately we’ve seen similar cases over the years.

Cut 15 (08) “of age”

Walters says with kids being out of school, parents are still adjusting to their new summer routines. She says there are things you can do to prevent this tragedy from happening again.

Cut 16  (12)  “in the backseat” 2x

The man arrested in Baton Rouge has been identified as Marvin Mercer and he’s been charged with negligent homicide. He’s also the head baseball coach at Madison Prep High School. Walters says there are easy habits that people can get into that will help them avoid this kind of tragedy.

Cut 17 (07)  “the backseat”

One of Governor John Bel Edwards’ main bills to raise revenue in the special session failed to get out of the House Ways and Means Committee. The bill would have lessened a tax break that many upper-income earners enjoy. The proposal would have raised 117-million dollars. The governor is asking legislators to increase revenues by 600-million dollars to prevent cuts to health and education programs.

Baton Rouge Police arrest a Zachary man after he left his eight month old daughter in a hot vehicle for approximately two hours. Authorities say 31-year-old Marvin Mercer arrived at work and then realized a couple of hours later that her daughter was still in the vehicle. The infant was pronounced dead at a local hospital and Marvin has been charged with negligent homicide.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office has charged three Grand Isle police officers with malfeasance in office. Two of them are also accused of extortion. Sheriff Newell Normand said earlier this year that there was evidence of sloppy handling and storage of drug evidence.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association voted to keep expanded split championships during a special meeting held in Baton Rouge. Michelle Southern has more…
voicer 2 (29) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Department is looking for new field agents as they plan to hold a cadet class in September. Adam Einck with L-D-W-F says if you like law enforcement and the outdoors, this is the perfect job for you…
cut 14 (09) “….entire career”
You can apply online through the Department of Civil Service website.

A bill that would reduce an income tax break that many upper-income earners enjoy failed to get out of the House Ways and Means Committee. Chairman Neil Abramson cast the tie-breaking vote to kill the legislation that would have reduced how much of a federal deduction individuals can claim on their personal state income taxes. The proposal would have raised 117-million dollars. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says based on early action, he doesn’t see the legislature raising the 600-million dollars needed to close the budget gap…
cut 7 (12) “….Means Committee”
The governor has said if the legislature doesn’t raise 600 million dollars, the TOPS scholarship program will not be fully funded. But there are many in the state legislature who can’t support additional taxes on residents.

Starting August 1st, signs will be required to be posted 500 feet ahead of intersections that have red light cameras, because of a bill signed into law by the governor. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter is the author…
CUT 5 (08) “our citizens”
He says if you get a ticket and there is no sign you don’t have to pay the ticket.

Orthopedists are raising concerns about the new law that allows patients to see physical therapists without getting a diagnosis from a doctor first. Don Molino has more…
voicer 5 (30) “…Don Molino”